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Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

NCT06217575 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 36

Last updated 2025-08-29

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Older veterans with a history of mild brain trauma exhibit early cognitive challenges, especially in driving-related tasks. This is attributed to alterations in the brain's excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. This pilot project investigates this phenomenon by leveraging electroencephalography (EEG) to measure parietal lobe alpha rhythms during visual attention tasks. The hypothesis is that targeted visual attention training can modulate these alpha rhythms, improving instrumental activities in daily life. However, outcomes from such training vary, possibly due to individual differences in cortical inhibitory functions. This study will assess the relationship between EEG measures of E/I balance pre- and post-visual attention training and its effects on processing speeds in aging veterans. Our findings aim to provide a foundation for customized therapies and interventions for veterans with and without a history of brain trauma.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Alpha neurofeedback training

Alpha neurofeedback training affords the participant the ability to monitor cortical EEG waves and entrain to a specific rhythm using visual feedback. Alpha is measured between 8-12Hz and is associated with cortical inhibition. Aging related changes in alpha have been associated with loss of modulation ability. However, alpha training may afford increased perception of visual details.

BEHAVIORAL

Visual Attention Training

Visual attention training involves repeated testing on the location and identity of objects in the visual field. Also called the "Dual Decision" task training, objects are briefly presented in a radial field of view surrounding a gaze fixation point. The participant is asked to remember the location and object presented within the field. The test progressively increases in difficulty by limiting the amount of time the object is presented on screen. Accuracy is measured by either a correct or incorrect response (binary response).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Birmingham VA Health Care System

    collaborator FED

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Max Age
85 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-07-01
Primary Completion
2028-01-30
Completion
2028-04-01

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06217575 on ClinicalTrials.gov